Instead, Rajon Rondo stepped to the microphones after last night’s first practice of the year intent on showing how maturely he could handle the onslaught of trade rumors swirling around him this past week, and how happy he is to still be in Boston.

Often aloof, and difficult with the media, in the best of times, Rondo handled what could have been one of the toughest weeks of his young career with refreshing professionalism.

He accepted that some have been critical of flaws in his game and quirks in his personality in the past, but vowed he was ready to grow as a person and player while leading this year’s Celtics in a championship quest.

"Obviously these guys do want me," Rondo said. "Danny (Ainge) has believed in me since Day 1. He drafted me. I’ve been through a lot of different trade talks and I’m still here."

Rondo acknowledged it stung a bit when his name was in the forefront of reports that the Celtics president of basketball operations was trying to send him to New Orleans for Chris Paul.

But once team officials and players were allowed to have contact with each other as the new labor deal was pending, Rondo said he talked with both Ainge and Celtics coach Doc Rivers, then came away from the meetings at peace with however it would play out.

"It bothered me a little bit," Rondo said. "But at the end of the day, I felt comfortable when I sat down and talked with (Ainge) because I heard it from him. He’s a pretty straightforward guy."

Rondo was one of nine Celtics on the practice court last night as the team awaited deals for Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and Keyon Dooling — as well as rookies JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore — to become official. Green signed his one-year, $6 million tender as a restricted free agent, Dooling came to Boston in a trade with Milwaukee on Thursday and Bass is in town after the Celtics acquired him from Orlando in a sign-and-trade involving Glen Davis.

"We wanted players who were hungry and would play with a sense of urgency," Rivers said.

"I like the guys we’ve added," Rondo said. "As far as the guys we lost, they will be missed. But I could have been one of those guys. I still may be."

For now, though, it appears Rondo won’t be dealt and Paul Pierce expects his point guard to use the drama of recent weeks to his advantage.

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"A few years ago when I was in those trade rumors — heavy trade rumors when I was right there getting ready to be shipped out of here — I come back the next year and had a career year," the captain said. "I used it as motivation and I hope he does the same.

"When you go through things that they kind of hurt your feelings, how you respond really tells a lot about the person and it helps you grow up quite a bit. Rondo is in the mode of the type of guy who is going to respond positively."

Rivers said he was happy with the additions already announced and said the team still has hopes of adding one or two more veteran players in the next few days.

While Rivers declined to say who those players he allowed "might be a pipe dream" are, there were several notable names bought out or amnestied across the league yesterday — including Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Baron Davis and Richard Hamilton.

"I just told Danny to get me the best players he could," the coach said. "Don’t worry about positions. Get me the players and I’ll make them fit. Get me five guards if those are the best guys."

At least the coach knows he’ll probably have his familiar starting point guard in charge.

"There are a lot of great (point guards) who go out there and challenge every night," Rondo said. "It’s not an easy position to play. I think it’s the hardest position to play. You just take your pick. If you want a scoring point guard, right now I’m not a scoring point guard. But (if you want) a guy that’s going to run the show, get everyone involved and keep everyone happy. I think I like myself (as the best)."